Case Report

Turk J Anaesth Reanim 2013; 41: 226-8

DOI: 10.5152/TJAR.2013.43

Anticholinergic Toxic Syndrome Caused by Atropa Belladonna Fruit (Deadly Nightshade): A Case Report Abdullah Demirhan1, Ümit Yaşar Tekelioğlu1, İsa Yıldız1, Tanzer Korkmaz2, Murat Bilgi1, Akcan Akkaya1, Hasan Koçoğlu1 Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Faculty of Medicine, Abant İzzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Abant İzzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey

1

Abstract

2

Atropa Belladonna poisoning may lead to anticholinergic syndrome. Ingestion of high amounts of the plant may cause lethargy, coma, and even a serious clinical picture leading to death. In this case report, we aimed to present a case with anticholinergic syndrome that developed after ingestion of the fruit called “Deadly Nightshade” in our country. Key Words: Poisoning, atropa belladonna, anticholinergic agents

Introduction

A

nticholinergic toxic syndrome (ATS) may not only occur due to a wide variety of drugs including tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, antihistamines, atropine, and scopolamine, but may also occur due to the consumption of some certain herbs as prepared by infusion or to the ingestion of their fruits (1). Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade), also found in our country, is one of those plants that may cause ATS. This plant of the Solanaceae family has greenish leaves and small, bright and sweet black fruits (Figure 1). The fruits and the leaves of the plant contain high levels of alkaloids, nameliy atropine, scopolamine and hyoscyamine (2). If the plant is accidentally ingested or consumed for its hallucinogenic effects, the alkaloids in its structure competitively block the postganglionic parasympathetic muscarinic receptors and the muscarinic receptors in the central nervous system and cause ATS (3, 4). Differential diagnosis is of importance especially in cases associated with fatigue and loss of consciousness in addition to psychotic findings. Therefore a thorough history should be obtained and a detailed physical examination should be performed. In this paper, along with the literature, we aimed to report a patient who consumed plenty of deadly nightshade fruits and was brought to our emergency department with loss of consciousness.

Case Report A 49-year-old female patient was brought to the emergency room by her relatives due to fatigue and loss of consciousness. At the initial physical examination, her general condition was poor, the coma scale score was low and she was breathing irregularly. On admission to the emergency department, her non-invasive blood pressure was 135/57 mmHg, pulse rate was 132 per minute and respiratory rate was 22 per minute. The neurologic examination revealed that her pupils were isochoric, mydriatic and pupillary light reflexes were bilaterally normal. As the patient’s general condition was poor; breathing irregular (intercostal retractions, paradoxical thorax and abdominal movements) and the Glasgow coma scale score was 7, she was intubated. Physical examination revealed redness of the face and neck, dryness of the oral mucosa, isochoric and dilated pupils and normal breathing sounds on auscultation. The axillary temperature was normal and she had an over-distended urinary bladder. She had hypoactive bowel sounds. Her medical history and family history was unremarkable. The patient’s relatives told us that she had eaten a forest fruit in large amounts. They stated that they did not know the name of this fruit, and she began showing restlessness, aggression and hyperexcitability after 3-4 hours. Gastric lavage was performed using a nasogastric tube, and then 1 mg/kg of activated charcoal was administered through the tube. Approximately 1000 ml of urine was drained using a urinary catheter. We took the photo of the plant brought by the patient’s relatives, and searched the literature on the subject. Based on the clinical findings and the literature, it was suggested that the patient had intoxication due to the ingestion of the plant known as Atropa Belladonna in the literature and as deathly nightshade in the region. The laboratory values were within normal limits except a leukocyte count of 15.700 mm3 and blood glucose level of 224 of mg dL-1. The informed consent was obtained and the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit for close hemodynamic monitoring and management. Hemodynamic monitoring was performed using invasive arterial catheterization and standard measures. Respiratory support was initiated with the ventilator initially set to deliver synchronised intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) with volume-support. Six hours after the admission to the intensive care unit, when her Glasgow Coma Scale score increased to 15, her vital parameters were stable and blood gas variables were consistent with the FiO2 level delivered, the patient was ex-

226

Address for Correspondence: Dr. Abdullah Demirhan, Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Faculty of Medicine, Abant İzzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey Phone: +90 374 253 46 56-3129 E-mail: [email protected] ©Copyright 2013 by Turkish Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Society - Available online at www.jtaics.org

Received : 02.11.2012 Accepted : 20.12.2012 Available Online Date : 23.05.2013

Demirhan et al. Atropa Belladonna and Anticholinergic Syndrome trihexyphenidyl), antipsychotic drugs (phenothiazines, butyrophenones), Belladonna alkaloids and counterparts (atropine hyoscyamine, ipratropium), and mydriatic agents (cyclopentolate, tropicamide) (11). During admission, we questioned in detail if the patient was on any of the drugs mentioned above, but she had no history of drug use. In anticholinergic syndrome, the pupils are often dilated and poorly reactive to light. Clinical manifestations include fever, flushing, ileus, heart rhythm disturbances, tachycardia, urinary retention, hypoactive bowel sounds, choreoathetosis, myoclonus, visual and auditory hallucinations, convulsions and coma. Agitation and delirium are among the most serious problems in these patients (12). As it was also reported in the literature, our patient had delirium, which started 3-4 hours after the ingestion of atropa belladonna fruit and continued until an hour before she arrived to the emergency room. Also, our patient had anticholinergic symptoms such as tachycardia, hypertension, flushing, dry mouth, mydriasis and urinary retention. Çaksen et al. (8) reported in their series that there was leukocytosis in three patients, hyperglycaemia in seventeen, a mild increase in AST levels in four, pyuria in two and metabolic acidosis in one patient. However, there was only leukocytosis and hyperglycaemia in our patient. The other laboratory findings were normal. Figure 1. The atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade) fruit that was brought by the patient’s relatives. tubated and mechanical ventilatory support was ceased. The symptoms completely disappeared after 24 hours of close monitoring in the intensive care unit and the patient was transferred to the ward.

Discussion Poisoning with atropa belladonna may not only result from use for the hallucinogenic effects but may also occur through accidental ingestion or use for suicidal attempts (3). It is a common belief in our country as is throughout the world that using its leaves for tea is beneficial for stomach and bowel problems because of its antispasmodic properties. Moreover, people with asthma and bronchitis might smoke leaves from Atropa Belladonna for treatment purposes. Uncontrolled consumption of the leaves and fruits of this plant may cause anticholinergic syndrome (5, 6). Clinical manifestations are due the effects of the alkaloids it contains (L-atropine, DL-hyoscyamine and hyoscine) on the central and peripheral nervous system (7). Its central effects are dose dependent and present as hallucination, loss of short-term memory, agitation, respiratory failure and cardiovascular collapse whereas the peripheral effects present as mydriasis, mucosal dryness, high fever, tachycardia, dry skin, ileus and urinary retention. Consistent with the literature, delirium and agitation stated by the patient’s relatives, mydriasis, redness of the face and neck, dry oral mucosa and urinary retention in the physical examination of the patient, supported both the central and peripheral symptoms of ATS. The absence of tachycardia, the presence of lethargy, convulsion and coma and being a child indicates poor prognosis and these are encountered in severe cases (2, 8, 9). The fact that our patient had delirium and agitation before admission to the hospital and loss of consciousness thereafter were suggested to be indicators of worsening. Anticholinergic syndrome may occur due to drugs or substances that block acetylcholine binding to muscarinic receptors (10). These drugs include; antihistamines (diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine, promethazine), drugs used for Parkinson’s disease (benztropine,

Treatment of atropa belladonna intoxication is conservative. Close monitoring in a quiet environment is recommended (13). Conservative treatment is based on maintenance of airway patency and respiratory and circulatory support (13). We performed close hemodynamic monitoring and provided respiratory support using mechanical ventilation. Performing gastric lavage with activated charcoal is recommended in the treatment of atropa belladonna poisoning (13). Inserting a nasogastric tube, we also administered activated charcoal following gastric irrigation. Benzodiazepines are frequently used for sedation to control anticholinergic findings including delirium and agitation (10). Physostigmine is a specific antidote and crossing the blood brain barrier, it reversibly inhibits anticholinesterase. Physostigmine should be given in cases of tachycardia, coma and respiratory arrest (1). Benzodiazepine infusion was started in our patient to sedate the patient, but as physostigmine was unavailable we could not use it.

Conclusion A thorough history taking is crucial in patients presenting with anticholinergic symptoms and in addition to the usage of anticholinergic drugs, the patients should also be questioned about consumption of this type of plants. We believe that it will be appropriate to perform close hemodynamic monitoring in intensive care units in patients suffering predominant from central symptoms. Conflict of Interest No conflict of interest was declared by the authors. Financial Disclosure: N/A. Peer-review: Externally peer-reviewed. Informed Consent: Written informed consent was obtained from patients who participated in this case. Author Contributions Concept - A.D.; Design - A.D., Ü.Y.T.; Supervision - İ.Y.; Funding - T.K., M.B.; Materials - İ.Y.; Data Collection and/or Processing - A.D., Ü.Y.T., H.K.; Analysis and/or Interpretation - A.D., Ü.Y.T., H.K., A.A.; Literature

227

Turk J Anaesth Reanim 2013; 41: 226-8 Review - A.D., M.B., H.K.; Writer - A.D., Ü.Y.T.; Critical Review - A.D., Ü.Y.T., H.K., A.A.; Other - T.K., M.B.

References 1.

Heindl S, Binder C, Desel H, Matthies U, Lojewski I, Bandelow B, et al. [Etiology of initially unexplained confusion of excitability in deadly nightshade poisoning with suicidal intent. Symptoms, differential diagnosis, toxicology and physostigmine therapy of anticholinergic syndrome]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2000; 125: 1361-5. [CrossRef ] 2. Southgate HJ, Egerton M, Dauncey EA. Lessons to be learned: a case study approach. Unseasonal severe poisoning of two adults by deadly nightside (Atropa belladonna). J R Soc Promot Health 2000; 120: 127-30. [CrossRef] 3. Trabattoni G, Visintini D, Terzano GM, Lechi A. Accidental poisoning with deadly nightshade berries: a case report. Human toxicology 1984; 3: 513-6. [CrossRef ] 4. Joshi P, Wicks AC, Munshi SK. Recurrent autumnal psychosis. Postgrad Med J 2003; 79: 239-40. [CrossRef ] 5. Karadaş S, Selvi Y, Mustafa Ş, Selvi F, Reşit Ö, Özgökçe F. Datura Stramonium Zehirlenmesi: Psikiyatrik Belirtilerle Başvuran Olgu. Düşünen Adam Psikiyatri ve Nörolojik Bilimler Dergisi 2011; 24: 152-4.

228

6. 7. 8.

9. 10.

11. 12. 13.

Spina SP, Taddei A. Teenagers with Jimson weed (Datura stramonium) poisoning. Cjem 2007; 9: 467-8. Lange A, Toft P. [Poisoning with nightshade, Atropa belladonna]. Ugeskr Laeger 1990;152:1096. Caksen H, Odabaş D, Akbayram S, Cesur Y, Arslan S, Uner A, et al. Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) intoxication: an analysis of 49 children. Hum Exp Toxicol 2003; 22: 665-8. [CrossRef ] Lamminpaa A, Kinos M. Plant poisonings in children. Hum Exp Toxicol 1996; 15: 245-9. [CrossRef ] Burns MJ, Linden CH, Graudins A, Brown RM, Fletcher KE. A comparison of physostigmine and benzodiazepines for the treatment of anticholinergic poisoning. Ann Emerg Med 2000; 35: 374-81. [CrossRef] Demir C, Dülger C, Mete R, Arslan Ş, Dilek İ. Atropa belladonna ile zehirlenme: Bir olgu sunumu. Van Tıp Dergisi 2006; 13: 61-3. Krenzelok EP, Leikin JB. Approach to the poisoned patient. Disease-amonth: DM 1996; 42: 509-607. Cikla U, Turkmen S, Karaca Y, Ayaz FA, Turedi S, Gunduz A. An Atropa belladonna L. poisoning with acute subdural hematoma. Hum Exp Toxicol 2011; 30: 1998-2001.[CrossRef ]

Anticholinergic Toxic Syndrome Caused by Atropa Belladonna Fruit (Deadly Nightshade): A Case Report.

Atropa Belladonna poisoning may lead to anticholinergic syndrome. Ingestion of high amounts of the plant may cause lethargy, coma, and even a serious ...
393KB Sizes 1 Downloads 11 Views